Lock for printers&#39; quoins



Patented Mar. 27, 1934 'NlTED STA LOOK FOR PRINTER/S QUOINS Annibale Fileppo, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 14, 1933, Serial No. 660,625

5 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in looks for printers quoins.

In the printing trade, it is customary to use quoins for wedging printing matters, such as types and plates or the like in the chase for printing purposes. These quoins generally comprise a pair of opposed wedge shaped members of substantially right angle triangular form, arranged with the hypotenuses in sliding relation with each other and the altitudes parallel to each other and said altitudes being adapted to be parallel in all sliding positions of the members. Frictional resistance is generally used to hold these members in wedged position. In practice, it has been found that very often these members become loose, which is undesirable in several respects, mainly, in that, then the clamped matter is loose and furthermore, there is the possibility that the quoin members may drop out and into '20 the printing machinery with consequent damage to the machinery. g

This invention has for an object the provision of a novel arrangement for locking the quoin members in their wedged positions.

Still further, the invention particularly proposes the provision of a resilient member mounted upon one of the quoin members and adapted to engage the teeth of arack mounted upon 'the other quoin member in a manner so that the quoin members are free to move to accomplish wedging and are restrained from moving in the releasing direction.

Still further the invention contemplates the provision of a novel arrangement whereby the resilient member may be moved to an inoperative position so as to allow the quoin members to move into releasing positions.

' As a still further object of this invention, it is proposed to arrange an eccentric member transversely underneath the resilient member and adapted to move the resilient member into the inoperative position previously mentioned whenever desired.

Still further, the invention contemplates an adjustment whereby the quoin members may be held in positions intermediate the lead between the teeth of the rack. e

As another object of this invention, it is proposed to slidably mount the rack upon the quoin member and to provide an arrangement whereby the rack may be held in various adjusted positions within limits corresponding to substantially the distance between adjacent teeth of said rack member.

Still further it is proposed to clamp the rack to longitudinal sliding and it is proposed to construct a device as mentioned 5 which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and tothe appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a pair of quoin members constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of one of the members seen as though looking in the direction of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the other members seen as though looking in the direction of the line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view. looking in the direction of the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of Fig. 1 seen as though looking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

.Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. l but illustrating a modified arrangement.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a similar view to Fig. 7 but illustrating a modified arrangement. Y

The printers quoins according to this invention comprises a pair of twin quoin members 10 and 11 adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes as is generally used. Each of these quoin members are substantially of right angle triangular form and are arranged so that their hypotenuses are in contact with each other and their altitudes constitute the parallel surfaces adapted to engage in between the side of the chase and the printing matter.

An arrangement is provided for limiting relative movements of the quoin members l0 and 11 comprises a central quoin member 11 slidably engaged the base of the quoin rib 12 upon the through a central slot 13in member 11 and a central rib 14 on the quoin member 11, engaging through a central longitudinal slot 15 upon the base portion of the quoin member 10. Interior opposed faces are formed upon one of the sides of the quoin members 10 and 11, which have teeth 16 adapted to be engaged by the customary clamping tool so that the quoin members may be forced in opposite directions as desired. So far, the construction of the printers quoins is identical to those quoin members generally used.

The quoin members now depart from the general construction in the provision of ratchet teeth 17 arranged upon one of the ribs, as illustrated on the drawing on the rib 14 and engageable by a resilient member 18 mounted upon the other of the quoin members. The ratchet teeth, 17 are arranged longitudinally along the length of the quoin member 11. The resilient member 18 is in the form of a spring and is disposed within a groove 19 extended partially across the top of the quoin member 11 and down one side. The end 20 of the spring 18 is soldered or in any other manner attached upon the quoin memberlO. The tip end 21 of the resilient spring 18 is adapted to engage the ratchet teeth 1'7 so as to hold the quoin members in wedging positions. The teeth 17 are so arranged so as to coact with the end 21 of the resilient member so as to allow the quoin members to be moved in a direction in which the parallel clamping sides move apart to restrain motion in the other direction. A means is provided for holding the resilient element 18 in an inoperative position when desired. This is necessary so as to allow the release of the quoin members after they serve their clamping purposes.

The means mentioned at the end of the previous paragraph comprise a spindle 23 rotatively engaged through the base end of the quoin member 10 and having a central eccentric portion 24 disposed immediately below the resilient member 18. One end of the spindle 23 is provided with a head 25 which is disposed in a recess 26 formed in the side of the quoin member 10. The spindle 23 is adapted to frictionally hold any rotative position in which it isplaced. The arrangement is such that when the head portion 25 is disposed longitudinally then the cam portion 24 is similarly disposed and the resilient member 18 is free to coact with the teeth of the rack but when the head element 25 is rotated 90 so as to extend downwards, then the extended portion 24 extends upwards and lifts the resilient member 18 slightly so that its free end 21 cannot engage the teeth of the rack.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, a modified construction has been disclosed in which an arrangement is provided for adjusting the printers quoins so that the twin quoin members may assume adjusted positions between the distance of adjacent teeth of the rack. Considering the printers quoins, it will be realized that the quoin members can be latched only in steps depending upon the distances between the teeth of the rack. In this form, an arrangement is made for adjusting the position of the rack so that intermediate clamping of the quoin members is possible.

More particularly, the quoin members are identical to those previously described except in that a rack 14' has been provided so as to have a dovetailed base 28 slidably engaging in a longitudinal dove-tailed groove in the quoin member 11 so that the rack may move longitudinally. A rivet 29 engages through the quoin member 11 and through an elongated slot 30 in the rack 14. 50 85 to limit sliding of the rack to substantially the distance between adjacent teeth of the rack. A transverse spindle 31 is mounted through the base end of the quoin member 11 and is formed with an eccentric portion 32 adapted to engage against the upper side of one end of the rack 14 so as to clamp this side downwards and frictionally lock the rack in adjusted positions. To facilitate this locking arrangement serrations 33 are arranged on'opposed faces of the rack 14' and the base of the dove-tailed groove in which the rack 14' slides. A head 34 is formed upon one end of the spindle 31 and is disposed within a recess 35, see Fig. 8, formed in the side of the quoin member 11.

Normally the quoin members are used as ordinary quoin members except that the head 25 is moved into the horizontal position when the quoin members are engaged in a chase and separated so as to clamp the printing material in the chase. The necessary turning tool is engaged between the teeth 16 so as to very tightly clamp the quoin members in position. To release the quoin members it is necessary that the handle 25 be moved to lift the free end 21 of the resilient member.

In the event that it is found that additional tightening of the quoin members is necessary but this additional tightening is less than the distance between adjacent teeth of the rack, it is necessary that the quoin members be removed and the rack 14 be adjusted. This latter adjustment is possible by moving the handle 34 so that the clamp portion 32 releases the rack 14. After the rack has been set in a new position, the handle 34 should be moved back into its clamping position.

In Fig. 11,.the eccentric portion 24 of spindle 23 is shown to be a flattened surface of the spindle.

It is to be understood that the quoin members and the ratchet teeth of rib 14 may be of any suitable material, such as metal, composition, etc.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:--

1. A look for printers quoins, comprising twin quoin members adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes, a ratchet rack mounted longitudinally on one of said quoin members, a resilient member onthe other of said quoin members adapted to engage the teeth of said rack as said quoin members are moved into the wedging positions, and means for holding said resilient member in an inoperative position when desired, said resilient member comprising a leaf spring engaged in a longitudinal groovein the top and one end of one of said quoin members and arranged so that the inturned end engages against the teeth of said rack and said means for holding said:

resilient member including a controlling transverse spindle rotative on the quoin member having the resilient member and having an oflset head disposed in a recess on the top side of the quoin member, said spindle having an offset cam member engageable against said leaf spring and being disposed diametrically opposite said ofiset head.

2. A look for printers quoins, comprising twin quoin members adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes, a ratchet rack mounted 1ongitudinally on one of said quoin members, a resilient member on the other of said quoin members adapted to engage the teeth of said rack as said quoin members are moved into the wedging positions, and means for holding said resilient member in an inoperative position when desired, said rack being slidably mounted, means for limiting sliding of said rack through a distance substantially equal to the lead of the teeth of the rack, and means for holding said rack in various fixed positions within said limits.

3. A look for printers quoins, comprising twin quoin members adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes, a ratchet rack mounted longitudinally on one of said quoin members, a resilient member on the other of said quoin members adapted to engage the teeth of said rack as said quoin members are moved into the wedging positions, and means for holding said resilient member in an inoperative position when desired, said rack being slidably mounted, means for limiting sliding of said rack through a distance substantially equal to the lead of the teeth of the rack, and means for holding said rack in various fixed positions within said limits, comprising a spindle engaged through one of the quoin members and having an eccentric portion adapted to engage against the rack and clamp the rack against the quoin member.

4. A look for printers quoins, comprising twin quoin members adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes, a ratchet rack mounted longitudinally on one of said quoin members, a resilient member on the other of said quoin members adapted to engage the teeth of said rack as said quoin members are moved into the wedging the rack and quoin memberbeing serrated.

5. A look for printers quoins, comprising twin quoin members adapted to coact with each other for wedging purposes, a ratchet rack mounted longitudinally on one of said quoin members, a resilient member on the other of said quoin members adapted to engage the teeth of said rack as said quoin members are moved into the wedging positions, and means for holding said resilient member in an inoperative position when desired, said resilient member comprising a leaf spring engaged in a longitudinal groove in the top and one end of one of said quoin members and arranged so that the inturned end engages the 10 teeth of said rack, and said means for holding said resilient member including a controlling transverse spindle having diametrically opposite ofiset portions and rotative on the quoin member having the resilient member, one of said offset 195 portions being disposed, in a recess on the top side of the quoin member and constituting a handle, and the other of said offset portions engaging beneath said leaf spring for disengaging the leaf member when desired.

ANNIBALE FILEPPO. 

